For our children’s message at Bunker hill, Becky came up with the idea of doing a “word for the day” every Sunday.  She watches a lot of Sesame Street while chasing after our two- year- old grandson.

The word for this weekend is “Forgiveness.” In the Old Testament lesson, 2 Samuel 11:26-12:10, 13-14, David discovered that he didn’t get away with coveting his neighbor’s wife, stealing her, committing adultery and planning her murder.  Pretty serious stuff.  God was not pleased and sent the prophet Nathan to so inform him.  At last David admits, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan announces the Lord’s verdict, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.”

There would be in – this – life consequences, the son born of Bathsheba would die.  However, God had covered all the sin connected with the death of David’s son, through the death of David’s Son, Jesus Christ.

In the Gospel lesson, Jesus is invited at a dinner when an invited guest breaks in.  However, Simon the Pharisee host had failed to act as a proper host.  The woman, city sinner that she is, acts as the hostess in this all male soiree.  She washes his feet and gives him welcoming kisses.

Simon condemns both the woman and Jesus.  But Jesus welcomes her touch, though it makes him unclean.  In the end he forgives her sin.  On the cross he became a curse, taking on all our curses which we have gained under the Law.

The word for the day is “Forgiveness.”

Prayer: Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us your gifts of faith, hope and love that we may receive the forgiveness You have promised and love what You have commanded; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.